Abstract: An Electrically Switchable Bragg Grating (ESBG) despeckler device comprising at least one ESBG element recorded in a hPDLC sandwiched between transparent substrates to which transparent conductive coatings have been applied. At least one of said coatings is patterned to provide a two-dimensional array of independently switchable ESBG pixels. Each ESBG pixel has a first unique speckle state under said first applied voltage and a second unique speckle state under said second applied voltage.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to methods of screening a sample obtained from a subject for antibodies relating to granulocytic ehrlichia (GE) infection.

Abstract: An Electrically Switchable Bragg Grating (ESBG) despeckler device comprising at least one ESBG element recorded in a hPDLC sandwiched between transparent substrates to which transparent conductive coatings have been applied. At least one of said coatings is patterned to provide a two-dimensional array of independently switchable ESBG pixels. Each ESBG pixel has a first unique speckle state under said first applied voltage and a second unique speckle state under said second applied voltage.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to granulocytic ehrlichia (GE) proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules coding for GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins; purified GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S1, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins and polypeptides; recombinant nucleic acid molecules; cells containing the recombinant nucleic acid molecules; antibodies having binding affinity specifically to GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S1, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins and polypeptides; hybridomas containing the antibodies; nucleic acid probes for the detection of nucleic acids encoding GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins; a method of detecting nucleic acids encoding GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to granulocytic ehrlichia (GE) proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules coding for GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins; purified GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins and polypeptides; recombinant nucleic acid molecules; cells containing the recombinant nucleic acid molecules; antibodies having binding affinity specifically to GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins and polypeptides; hybridomas containing the antibodies; nucleic acid probes for the detection of nucleic acids encoding GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins; a method of detecting nucleic acids encoding GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to granulocytic ehrlichia (GE) proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules coding for GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins; purified GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins and polypeptides; recombinant nucleic acid molecules; cells containing the recombinant nucleic acid molecules; antibodies having binding affinity specifically to GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins and polypeptides; hybridomas containing the antibodies; nucleic acid probes for the detection of nucleic acids encoding GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins; a method of detecting nucleic acids encoding GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to granulocytic ehrlichia (GE) proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules coding for GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins; purified GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins and polypeptides; recombinant nucleic acid molecules; cells containing the recombinant nucleic acid molecules; antibodies having binding affinity specifically to GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins and polypeptides; hybridomas containing the antibodies; nucleic acid probes for the detection of nucleic acids encoding GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins; a method of detecting nucleic acids encoding GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.

Abstract: An Electrically Switchable Bragg Grating (ESBG) despeckler device comprising at least one ESBG element recorded in a hPDLC sandwiched between transparent substrates to which transparent conductive coatings have been applied. At least one of said coatings is patterned to provide a two-dimensional array of independently switchable ESBG pixels. Each ESBG pixel has a first unique speckle state under said first applied voltage and a second unique speckle state under said second applied voltage.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to granulocytic ehrlichia (GE) proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules coding for GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins; purified GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins and polypeptides; recombinant nucleic acid molecules; cells containing the recombinant nucleic acid molecules; antibodies having binding affinity specifically to GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins and polypeptides; hybridomas containing the antibodies; nucleic acid probes for the detection of nucleic acids encoding GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.2, S11, E8, E46#1, and E46#2 proteins; a method of detecting nucleic acids encoding GE S2, S7, S22, S23, C6.1, C6.

Abstract: Silver alloy compositions having reduced susceptibility to sulphidation and reduced susceptibility to fire stain relative to 92.5% silver 7.5% copper alloy, and having mechanical properties for casting and forming comparable to or better than 92.5% silver 7.5% copper alloy, and having an appearance similar to 92.5% silver 7.5% copper alloy. The silver alloy compositions include at least 92.5% silver 2.0%-4.0% tin; 1.7%-2.6% zinc and 0.50%-1.5% indium.

Abstract: A gas fuel injector includes a first header plate, a second header plate, and a plurality of venturi tubes. The second header plate is spaced downstream from the first header plate. The plurality of venturi tubes is sealably secured to the first and second header plates. Each venturi tube of the plurality of venturi tubes is defined by a plurality of fixable components.

Abstract: A gas fuel injector includes a first header plate; a second header plate spaced downstream from the upstream header plate; and a plurality of venturi tubes arranged in rows and sealably secured to the first and second header plates. Each of the venturi tubes includes an inlet section, a throat section and an exit. The exit is shaped into a pattern that reduces space between each of the venturi tubes at the exit of each of the plurality of venturi tubes.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine includes a combustor body having an aperture and a casing enclosing the combustor body and defining a passageway therebetween for carrying compressor discharge air. There is at least one injection tube for supplying an amount of the compressor discharge air into the combustor body and the injection tube is disposed between the aperture and through the casing. A collar is disposed at the passageway and surrounds the injection tube so that the injection tube passes through the collar. A gap is disposed between the collar and the injection tube. The collar has a plurality of openings. A method for quenching combustion in a gas turbine includes supplying a fixed amount of compressor discharge air into a body of a combustor of the gas turbine and supplying a variable amount of compressor discharge air into the body. The fixed amount of compressor discharge air is disposed concentrically around the variable amount of compressor discharge air.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine includes a main fuel injector for receiving compressor discharge air and mixing the air with fuel for flow to a downstream catalytic section. The main fuel injector includes an array of venturis each having an inlet, a throat and a diffuser. A main fuel supply plenum between forward and aft plates supplies fuel to secondary annular plenums having openings for supplying fuel into the inlets of the venturis upstream of the throats. Each diffuser transitions from a circular cross-section at the throat to multiple discrete angularly related side walls at the diffuser exit. Gaps between circumferentially and radially spaced diffusers at their exits are eliminated. With this arrangement, uniform flow distribution of the fuel/air, velocity and temperature is provided at the catalyst inlet.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine includes a main fuel injector for receiving compressor discharge air and mixing the air with fuel for flow to a downstream catalytic section. The main fuel injector includes an array of venturis each having an inlet, a throat and a diffuser. A main fuel supply plenum between forward and aft plates supplies fuel to secondary annular plenums having openings for supplying fuel into the inlets of the venturis upstream of the throats. The diffusers transition from a circular cross-section at the throat to multiple discrete angularly related side walls at the diffuser exits without substantial gaps therebetween. With this arrangement, uniform flow distribution of the fuel/air, velocity and temperature is provided at the catalyst inlet.

Abstract: An optical device comprises a waveguide assembly having a number of core portions along which radiation can propagate from an input port to an output port and cladding portions abutting said core portions. Each core portion is adapted to receive a beam composed of a respective wavelength band of radiation. The device also comprises a demultiplexer for separating a signal comprising a plurality of channels into separate channel beams for input into the waveguide and/or a multiplexer fro receiving the beams from the waveguide and recombining them into a single signal. Preferably, the waveguide incorporates optical attenuation means operative on the beams. In one embodiment, the core portions and/or abutting cladding portions are comprised of a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal material whose refractive index can be varied by the application of an electrical stimulus.

Abstract: A layer of optically active material overlaps the mode filed of a single mode optical waveguide and has regions to which electric fields can be applied by way of respective electrodes so as to vary the refractive index of the layer in those regions. The regions are spaced apart longitudinally of the waveguide, and the fields are so arranged that they extend at different angles to an interface between the waveguide and the layer and act sequentially upon different polarisation components of radiation propagating along the waveguide. In one arrangement, the fields are orthogonal to one another. In an alternative arrangement, the third field can be applied to a further longitudinally-spaced region of the layer and the three fields are arranged at 120 degrees to one another.

Abstract: Light from an image displayed on a display screen 10 is transmitted to an observer's eye 11 by way of a dynamic optical element 12 (such as a spatial light modulator or an electrically switchable holographic composite) which acts as a lens. The characteristics of the dynamic optical element 12 can be altered so that it acts sequentially to direct light of different colors to the observer's eye. In one optional embodiment emitters 17 on the display screen 10 emit infra-red radiation which is projected by the dynamic lens 12 as a broad wash onto the eye 11. Infra-red radiation reflected back from the eye 11 is focussed by the dynamic lens 12 onto detectors 18 also provided on the display screen 10. The detectors 18 are thus able to sense the direction of eye gaze, and the dynamic lens 12 is controlled in dependence on this to create an area of high resolution in an area of interest centered on the direction of gaze, which is moved to follow the eye gaze as its direction alters.

Abstract: Light from an image displayed on a display screen 10 is transmitted to an observer's eye 11 by way of a dynamic optical element 12 (such as a spatial light modulator or an electrically switchable holographic composite) which acts as a lens. The characteristics of the dynamic optical element 12 can be altered so that it acts sequentially to direct light of different colors to the observer's eye.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding eleven different proteins of granulocytic erhlichia (GE), a tick-borne intracellular bacteria, have been isolated and sequenced completely. These DNAs were isolated as immunoreactive clones from a Lambda Zap II genomic library of GE DNA purified from infected HL60 cells. Three of the clones, E8, E80, and E46, contain open reading frames for four highly homologous proteins which appear to be part of a multigene family resembling the MSP-2 gene family of Anaplasma marginale. One clone, B3, contained a gene encoding the heat shock 70 protein. The other clones (W20, E74, and E82) contain open reading frames for proteins which have some homology to other bacterial proteins present in the nucleotide and protein databases. These and other GE antigens identified by immunoscreening of the genomic library are potentially useful as diagnostic reagents and vaccine candidates for GE.